Newsletter - 8 February
Dear brothers and sisters,
The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes will be celebrated on Wednesday 11 February. This feast is an expression of the compassion of God towards the poor and needy, especially the sick. So many people going to Lourdes came back cured, either from a physical illness and/ or transformed in a way which allows them to carry on their earthly journey and to deepen their faith. In the Gospel, Jesus revealed himself being a man who would usually interrupt his journey and take time to talk to and cure the sick. All of us suffer from some kind of disease, may it be physical and/ or mental, obvious or not, and God takes care of us, weak and sick, in a special way.
Moreover many episodes in the Gospel reveal that talking to Jesus is part of the cure, sick people would usually exchange with Jesus, answering to questions and expressing their desires and concerns. We are sure that Jesus listens, knows and does what is best. He also reveals to us what is best for us when we take time to talk to him.
Pope Leo invites us this month to pray for children with incurable diseases: “Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.”
This prayer intention helps to raise awareness that there are many children in such situations. Under such circumstances, strength and hope are essential and can be put to the test; and can only be given by God.
As for us, if we remain too focused on our multiple problems, we tend to forget to open our hearts to the poor and needy. Pope Leo is inviting us to pray because by praying, we put not only the other person but also ourselves under the eyes of God. We also acknowledge that all is in the hands of God: doctors and surgeons, the medical staff, social workers… all comes from God.
Let us thus entrust to the Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, those children with incurable diseases, their families and all people involved in the care and support provided.
I wish you all a blessed feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Fr Pascal Sullivan, CCN
Focus of the week
The Installation of Archbishop Richard
We are all invited to the Cathedral for the Solemn Vespers at 5.30pm on Friday 13 February.
On Wednesday 4 March the Archbishop will celebrate the 6.30pm Mass at the church of St Paul the Apostle, Wood Green, where you will be most welcome to attend.
Notices of the Week
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